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Patients wait inside an urgent care pharmacy while wearing personal protective equipment, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in the Queens borough of New York. Gov. Andrew Cuomo sounded his most dire warning yet about the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday, saying the infection rate in New York is accelerating and the state could be as close as two weeks away from a crisis that sees 40,000 people in intensive care. Such a surge would overwhelm hospitals, which now have just 3,000 intensive care unit beds statewide. John Minchillo/AP Photo

Live: What To Know April 4 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin

Number Of Total Cases Of COVID-19 In State Is Rising

By WPR Staff

Published:

Saturday, April 4, 2020, 8:00am

Updated:

Saturday, April 4, 2020, 6:05pm

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The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the state continues to grow.

The state Department of Health Services announced Saturday there are 2,112 positive casesof COVID-19 statewide and 56 deaths. That's a jump of 19 deaths from the total of 37 people Friday afternoon. That does not include five additional deaths in Milwaukee County, which would bring the statewide total to 61.

As the response to the virus evolves, Wisconsin Public Radio will be keeping track of up-to-date happenings here, and in our broadcast and online coverage. If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 — either about the virus, prevention or preparation — ask us and we'll do our best to answer.

For explanations for common questions and additional information about COVID resources, read WisContext's story listing 10 things to know about the pandemic and public health in the state.

Gov. Tony Evers released a statement Saturday night criticizing the Legislature for convening and adjourning a special session charged with taking action on the spring election.

He wrote, "Republicans in the Legislature are playing politics with public safety and ignoring the urgency of this public health crisis."

Republicans in the Legislature are playing politics with public safety and ignoring the urgency of this public health crisis. It’s wrong. No one should have to choose between their health and their right to vote.

"It's wrong. No one should have to choose between their health and their right to vote," he wrote.

The Democratic governor has asked the Republican-controlled Legislature to delay the election Tuesday amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, calling it an "easy decision."

"It's time for every Republican legislator to do their jobs and take a vote on this commonsense proposal to extend the election date so everyone can vote safely from home. I urge every Wisconsinite to contact their legislators and demand a vote," he wrote.

4:19 PM: No Action Taken In Special Legislative Session On Election Changes

3:49 PM: Wisconsin Gets Federal Disaster Declaration

Wisconsin will get federal help in paying for the cost of its COVID-19 response. Gov. Tony Evers announced Saturday the state has been granted "a major disaster declaration for the entire state of Wisconsin as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The designation comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will make federal assistance available to state and local governments. In a statement, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator Darrell L. Williams said the state will "work with communities across Wisconsin to ensure federal disaster assistance is received as quickly as possible."

The number of people who have died from the disease rose sharply in the last 24 hours, from 37 people as of Friday afternoon to 56 people Saturday.

1:42 PM: Milwaukee Election Commission Responds: We Have Requested National Guard Support, But Opening Hundreds More Polling Places Is Impossible

In a call with reporters Saturday afternoon, Neil Albrecht, director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said it's false that the city of Milwaukee hasn't asked for help from the state National Guard to administer elections.

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"We've requested 500 members of the National Guard to support our voting centers, and we're going to find out in a call this afternoon with county clerks from across the state and with the Wisconsin Elections Commission ... the status of the requests that have been submitted by counties across the state," Albrecht said.

Even if the city's request is granted, that doesn't mean it will be able to open more polling places. Albrecht said his office made "realistic assessments" about how the city could use National Guard support, and also balanced the need to provide clear information to the public about where they can go to vote.

"From an election administration perspective, it’s very difficult to infuse a high number of people at the 11th hour into the administration of an election," Albrecht said.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos wrote on Twitter that "Milwaukee could easily use city staff to open polling places," or could use members of the National Guard as poll workers. "It appears they want problems instead of an actual solution," the Rochester Republican said.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who is facing a challenge from state Sen. Lena Taylor in the election, has said the closure of polling places is due to struggles finding poll workers and concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19 on election day.

9:16 AM: Wausau Manufacturing Workers Say They Were Exposed

The newspaper reports three employees of Kolbe Windows & Doors said the company told them that one of their coworkers tested positive. Some workers at the plant, which employs more than 1,000 people, are calling on the company to shut down temporarily in order to protect employees.

Like most manufacturers, Kolbe is considered an essential business and is exempt from closing under the governor's Safer at Home order. According to the Daily Herald report, the company did not confirm or deny employees had been infected.

8 AM: Freighters In Great Lakes Take Precautions Against COVID-19

Workers on American and foreign freighters are following new protocols and precautionary measures in the Great Lakes region to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic, the Associated Press reports.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Coast Guard will monitor American and foreign cargo vessels that have recently traveled to an area affected by the new virus outbreak within the last 14 days.

Petty Officer Brian McCrum, spokesman for the Coast Guard’s 9th District said ships will be granted entry into the U.S. only if they don’t carry sick crew members.

FRIDAY: EPA Region 5 To Donate Excess PPE

Friday evening U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced it was working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide excess personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care workers on the COVID-19 frontlines.

The EPA uses PPE for when responding to emergencies, including chemical, oil, radiological and biological incidents, a press release said.

"We are working with our regional FEMA officials to provide what limited quantities of equipment that we have to the states in our region that need it most,"EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede said. "We don’t have a lot, but we know that every bit helps."

FRIDAY: DHS 186 New Cases Of COVID-19 In Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Friday 186 additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the state, taking Wisconsin's total number of confirmed cases to 1,916. DHS also reports37deaths and 487hospitalizations related to the virus. The death total does not include five additional deaths in Milwaukee County.

There are confirmed cases in 54 Wisconsin counties.

Across the state, 22,377 people have tested negative for the virus.

FRIDAY: Gov. Tony Evers Calls For Special Session On Spring Election

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order Friday calling the Legislature to meet in special session at 4 p.m. Saturday to take up changes on the election Tuesday.

Evers wants the Legislature to allow an all-mail election and to send a ballot to every registered voter who has not already requested an absentee ballot.

He also wants to extend the time to receive ballots to May 26.

"As we’ve faced these challenges over the past few weeks, I have also asked the people of our state to do their part to help. Well here’s the bottom line folks: if, as elected officials, we’re going to expect the people of our state to make sacrifices to keep all of us safe, then, by golly, we better be willing do our part, too. So, today I announced that I am calling the Legislature into a special session to do its part — just as all of us are — to help keep our neighbors, our families, and our communities safe," Gov. Evers said in a video.

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